Article Photos

Weirton will receive some special guests, as members of the Alumni Association of Pilot Dog Owners will check into the Weirton Holiday Inn with the canine companions who have been trained to help them in compensating for their blindness or visual impairments.

Paul Brothers of Follansbee, an alumni of the program and coordinator for this year's pilot dog convention, said more than 80 people have registered for the event, which will be held Friday through Sunday at the hotel, and also involve activities at the Weirton Lions Club, Marland Heights Park and Brooke Lanes II.

Brothers said activities will include a visit to Brooke Lanes II for a few hours of bowling and obedience, obstacle course and tall tale competitions at the park on Saturday morning followed by lunch at the Weirton Lions Club and a business meeting and banquet at the hotel in a conference room supplied by Undo's.

Asked about accommodations for bowling, Brothers said rails are set up to guide participants to their lanes, but there is nothing to prevent them from making a gutter ball.

Brothers said the obedience contest and obstacle course are designed to test how well owner and pet remember their training through Pilot Dogs Inc. The Columbus-based nonprofit organization provides dogs and training at no cost to the participants, thanks to the support of Lions Clubs, Kal Can, the Columbus Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Columbus Serum Co.

Brothers underwent a month-long training program with Martie, a female German shepherd, after diabetes caused him to become legally blind in 1998.

Pilot dogs staff pair the students with any of seven breeds: Boxers, Doberman pinschers, golden retrievers, poodles, Labrador retrievers, viszlas and German shepherds.

Formed in 1980, the Alumni Association of Pilot Dog Owners has members from throughout the U.S. who come from all walks of life and work in various fields.

Brothers, who had worked in construction before losing his sight, is a self-employed building contractor who also works part time at the Seeing Hand Association in Wheeling.

He stressed Saturday's competitions are all in fun and entirely voluntary for those attending the convention. He added the tall tale contest involves telling a funny story about one's companion.

Awards for the winners will be supplied by Scott Miller of Toronto, a pilot dog alumnus who enjoys woodworking and whom Brothers met while attending an earlier convention.

Brothers said in addition to many attending from Ohio, there will be guests from Pittsburgh, Fairmont, W.Va., and as far as Missouri and Washington, among other states.

Brad Degenkolb, director of sales for the Weirton Holiday Inn, said, "It's been great working with Paul and getting this organized. We're privileged to host this."

Degenkolb said the Weirton hotel has a pet-friendly policy, whether the guests have special needs or are bringing along their furry companions.

Rick and Stacy Hayman, owners of Brooke Lanes II in Wellsburg, said this will be the first time they have accommodated a visually impaired customer, but they are looking forward to it.

Brothers said staff at the Holiday Inn and Undo's restaurant as well as Brooke Lanes II have been helpful and are among many local businesses and organizations providing assistance, food or other materials.

Brothers also expressed appreciation to his father, Edward, for his help, even following the recent death of Brothers' mother. The convention is being dedicated to Marlene Brothers, who died of cancer on May 2.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com)